CASE STUDY: BAKERY

CHALLENGE: The owner of a bakery wished to automate the insertion of specialized pastries in paper cups. He previously had inserted all pastries by hand, incurring significant labor costs and product losses. At the same time, his bakery was undergoing extensive remodeling and new construction, including several new lines being installed while needing to minimize the time required for start-up.

SOLUTION: Precision Automated Technology designed and built a cup denesting system that met his specific requirements of a high-speed line together with improved reliability.

RESULTS: Upon delivery of the system, the independent engineer overseeing the certification of the equipment offered the following testimony:

“In the early days of my engineering career I was involved in the prototype development of the units that until recently have been dispensing paper cups at this plant, and so feel particularly qualified to comment on your excellent product. Dispensing cups is not an easy task; the original units at the plant used a combination of laminar airflow across surfaces to provide a separating effect followed by a vacuum operation to pull the cup from the stack. The cups in question were porous and as such needed the two-stage separation and pull. It is impressive to see your units performing so well.

Please do keep my details on record for future reference; I have enjoyed working with Precision Automation Technology Inc. very much. I would be delighted to provide a reference for your Denester System to any potential customer within the UK or Europe, if required, and will do this as an independent party and qualified Mechanical Engineer.

Thank you again for providing information to all of my questions usually by return of e-mail; it is this that has enabled the process to progress so efficiently.”

Paul Harvey CEng, MIMechE

P.C. Harvey Ltd.

CASE STUDY: MEDICAL

CHALLENGE: Our client came to us with specific existing requirements for manufacturing. In order to conform to these parameters, their existing injection molding equipment posed several challenges. Namely, this equipment serviced products placed in bulk, which created several "unavoidable" steps. It became apparent that their operation needed a much leaner method for executing production and assembly.

SOLUTION: Precision Automated Technology evaluated these hang-ups by looking first at the desired end result, then stepping backward through each step of the assembly process. We suggested that the client take injection molded part directly from the press, then reorient and place the product directly into final packaging. By doing so, the client eliminated several steps of existing process equipment.

Streamlining not only increased production, but it also gave the client more quality controls at his fingertips. For example, if part of "Mold A" records an error, we can immediately track its origin, as well as it's destination path. This was previously not an option with their old system of bulking directly off of the press—providing no indication which tip came off of which mold cavity. Instead of 100% inspection on bulk, the client can now perform random inspections based on product code and requirements.

RESULTS: Although this new machinery has only been in operation for six months, their facility has already requested additional equipment.